02 Aug 2015

When he touches town at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport tomorrow (August 4), Nijel Amos will be blown away by Botswana’s flags and colours, thanks to the Minister of Sport, Youth and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng.

The minister believes the 800m runner and his 400m colleague, Issac Makwala, have done the country proud, hence a heroes’ welcome.

However, Makwala, the African 400m record holder would not be with Amos at the welcome ceremony.

Makwala’s coach has requested that he should not come home since they had to do some techniques and tactics before the world championships.

According to a welcome committee member, Dikarabo Ramadubu, a motorcade will leave the National Stadium at 10am to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport to welcome Amos.

From the airport, the athlete will interact with members of the public at the National Stadium. Ramadubu said the event would be open to all members of the public.

The Marobela born athlete was the first runner to bring home Olympic medal in 2012 at the age of 18 recording 1:41:73 behind his track antagonist David Rudisha’s 1:40:90.

The little known Amos by then, pulled a surprise before the Olympics at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Spain where he scoped a gold medal after clocking 1:43.79.

Since then, he never looked back as all those who once beat him on the track are now paying the price of finishing ahead of him.

One of the victims was Ethiopian, Mohammed Aman, who beat Amos twice at the start of this season in Eugene and Rome.

Rudisha could testify that since outclassing Amos in 2012, it had been difficult to handle him. However, there is a new kid on the block from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Amel Tuka, who managed to go past Amos at Monaco Diamond League meeting recording 1; 42:51, while Amos settled for position two.

A re-match between Tuka and Amos in Beijing in the next two weeks would be electrifying.

Despite missing the opening of Diamond League meeting in Doha, Amos still tops the league standings with 12 points.

After spending some time outside the country, Amos would home to get the blessings from Batswana before leaving for Beijing for his maiden appearance an the world championships. Ends